The new BitFenix Shadow offers PC builders "an incredibly clean design", which delivers "trifecta of style, function, and value" according to this Taiwanese PC hardware and peripherals company. BitFenix applies the strapline "Sleek - Savvy - Sinister" to this new ATX mid-tower PC case with its magnetic front door cover, switchable LED accent colour and powder-coated black BitFenix SofTouch™ Surface Treatment.
The Shadow offers plenty of room for most PC enthusiasts and can accommodate graphics cards up to 320mm in length and CPU coolers up to 165mm tall. While we are on the subject of cooling, the Shadow has four 120mm fan locations to keep the air flowing and cool within the case. When you buy this case two 120mm 'Spectre' fans are pre-installed. There is a large removable front dust filter to minimise dust intake into the Shadow and the power supply and bottom-of-case air intake fan locations also have filters.
Expansion options are ample with seven 3.5-inch bays, three 5.25-inch bays and a dedicated 2.5-inch bay available for your boot SSD. Also should your motherboard support them up to seven PCI slots are available for your add-in boards and as mentioned above a graphics card of up to 320mm in length can be accommodated.
It's always convenient to have some front accessible ports and the BitFenix Shadow offers a decent bevy of such ports including two of the USB 3.0 variety alongside two USB 2.0 ports and HD audio I/O. On this panel there is also a control to switch the case LED accent between red, blue and off positions and the power/reset button..
BitFenix Shadow Specifications:
|
Materials |
Steel, Plastic |
|
Colors (Int/Ext) |
Black/Black |
|
Dimensions (WxHxD) |
190 x 440 x 506mm |
|
Motherboard Sizes |
ATX, Micro ATX, Mini-ITX |
|
5.25” Drive Bays |
x 3 |
|
3.5” Drive Bays |
x 7 |
|
2.5” Drive Bays |
x 1 |
|
Cooling Front |
120mm x 2 (1 included) |
|
Cooling Bottom |
120mm x 1 (optional) |
|
Cooling Rear |
120mm x 1 (included) or 92mm x 1 (optional) or 80mm x 1 (optional) |
|
PCI Slots |
x 7 |
|
I/O |
USB 3.0 x 2, USB 2.0 x 2, HD Audio |
|
Power Supply |
PS2 ATX (bottom, multi direction) |
It is also worth pointing out that the Shadow features tool-free drive installation and locking mechanisms for easy initial setup and later configuration changes. BitFenix says that a large CPU cutout helps "enable quick CPU cooler changes" and cable management has been carefully considered by the case designers.
